ALT-1 Items to keep in your Car
The major problem with working out what items to keep in your car, is to get that happy balance. You can carry every possible item you may need, and double your petrol consumption with the additional weight, or leave everything at home, and chance that the fates are on your side.
First of all, you should check that the things you really need to have in your car, are actually there, and are in a fit state. That means checking that your spare tire is in its place, inflated, and legal. Check that the car jack and tire wrench are also in the car, and are in working order.
Now you can think of the other items to keep in your car. Among these items should be a selection of car fuses. Most cars have a few spare fuses fitted beside the fuse box, but if you bought the car second hand, check that the fuses aren’t blown or missing. If they are, replace them, and since they do not take up much room, they can even be kept in a small reseal-able bag in the glove compartment.
Another thing to keep handy in the glove box is a selection of car bulbs. You can buy one each of the following, a spare headlight bulb, a rear brake light bulb, and an indicator bulb. Or you can purchase a ready-made kit of spare bulbs from your local auto shop.
Consider carrying a bottle of water in the boot of your car. Apart from being handy if you need to top up your coolant system and windscreen washer bottle, you can use it to clean road grime off your headlamps.
Keep a blanket in your car in case you break down on a cold night, or fancy stopping somewhere for a bit of a picnic. It’s also a good thing to have in your car in case you come across an accident. It also wont harm to have a good quality first aid kit in the boot, but keep the contents up to date and replenish when necessary.
Another useful item to keep in your car are a pair of gloves, in case you need to change a tire, and don’t forget to include a torch (with working batteries). A set of jump leads won’t take up much room and may be a lifesaver if you inadvertently flatten your battery. It may also prove to be a lifesaver to someone else that you come across at the side of the road.
A towrope can also be easily stored away, and don’t forget to fit a small fire extinguisher in your car. It has to be fitted somewhere where it is easily and quickly accessible, or you are wasting your time having it in the car.
Keep a 12v mobile phone charger in your car, and keep your phone topped up. A local street map is useful to have, even if you own a satnav system. On a lighter note, keep a little bag of sweets in the car to give yourself a sugar boost during a long drive.
Having a bottle of drinking water and a biscuit hidden in the glove compartment wont do any harm either. Don’t forget though, although keeping useful items in your car is a good idea, make sure you have left room to get yourself and passengers into your car as well.
